Research, Development & Innovation

Time frame: 2025 - 2028

Participants: Ferroglobe Innovation, AIMPLAS, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Recyclia/Ecopilas, CIDETEC, WILOCK, Sadako Technologies, Biosphere Solar, Akumplast JSC, Şişecam, Intelligent Solar, EuRIC - The European Recycling Industries, CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies), ENCO Engineering and Consulting srl, LA HORMIGA VERDE

Total budget: € 5.997.302,50. Ferroglobe Innovation SL funding: € 349.230

Public funding: HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions. HORIZON-CL6-2024-CIRCBIO-02.

Main objectives: SOPHIA addresses to the problem of photovoltaic panels End of Life, their management and the society awareness on electronic waste management. The project will implement several Advanced Digital Solutions, involving all actors in the value chain, in order to increase the reuse and repair rates of these products.

Time frame: From October 2020 to May 2024.

Participants: Ferroglobe Innovation SL, CETIM Química del Nalón, NANOKER, RIMSA, ABCR Labs, GRAPHENEA, CUANTUM Medical Cosmetics, HI IBERIA.

Budget: 5.775.157,00 €. Total grant for the project: 4.143.878,45 €.

Public funding: Funded by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), in the 2019 call of the MISSIONS Programme, within the framework of the State Programme for Business Leadership in R&D&I, of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2017-2020, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

The main objective of this project is to significantly improve the energy density, cost and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries through novel research into advanced active and inactive materials and their synergistic combinations for the different components of the electrochemical cell (anode, electrolyte and cathode), overcoming their current limits, thus facilitating the evolution and transformation of the transport sector towards sustainability, decarbonisation and a drastic reduction in emissions.

Time frame: 2021 - 2023

Participants: FERROGLOBE INNOVATION S.L.U., ABCR LABORATORIOS, S.L., ENSO INNOVATION S.L, ARTABRO TECH S.L, FUNDACIÓN CENTRO TECNOLÓGICO DE INVESTIGACIÓN MULTISECTORIAL

Budget: 2.752.750,98 €.

Public funding: This project is subsidized by the Galician Innovation Agency within the framework of the 2020 call of the Factory of the Future, smart and sustainable factory of Industry 4.0 aid program. The grants awarded under this program have been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under Axis 1 (Promoting research, technological development, and innovation) of the ERDF Galicia 2014-2020 operational program. The project is supported by the Second Vice-Presidency and the Regional Ministry of Economy, Enterprise, and Innovation.

IN854A 2020/04

The main objective of the project is to significantly improve the energy density, cost and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries thus facilitating the transformation of the transport sector towards sustainability, decarbonization and emission reduction.

Progress 2021
FG Innovation prepared the pilot plant for the installation of the planned milling equipment. Likewise, significant progress has been made in the review of the state of the art in relation to the use of silicon and its optimal characteristics in the anode of lithium-ion batteries (definition of specifications). Regarding quality control (including full traceability based on blockchain), the critical properties to be monitored and recorded have been defined. In addition to this, the manufacturing and analysis methods for this type of silicon have been established. Tests has also been carried out on silicon particle coatings, checking different possibilities. Advance on the digitization of processes and digital twins, as well as muon tomography in the silicon purification phase have begun to be designed and implemented.

Progress 2022
In this year, FG Innovation completed the installation and commissioning of the new milling equipment and the first milling tests have been carried out in the pilot plant. The critical parameters of the process have been determined for its automation and control. Progress has been made in the characterization by SEM and XRD microscopy of the micrometric and nanometric silicon obtained, which has allowed improvement in the development of new materials, in accordance with the optimum specifications defined. Laboratory tests begun with the muon chambers and different types of crucibles and materials inside them. Different types of coatings, doping and new manufacturing procedures for silicon/carbon composites were designed. The first cells were prepared, and first electrochemical results were obtained.

Progress 2023
In 2022, FG Innovation completed the commissioning of the new micrometric and nanometric milling equipment, for which several tests have been carried out in the pilot plant with great success, reaching the expectations in chemical purity and particle size distribution. The critical parameters of the process for its automation and control have been determined. Additionally, potential production bottlenecks have been detected with the digital twin and great strides have been made in quality assurance with the blockchain application that allows the registration of all relevant information in the manufacture of high purity silicon powder.
Starting from different types of silicon obtained, different Si/C coatings and composites synthesized in collaboration with the project partners have been tested, leading to significant progress in the development of new advanced materials for the anode of lithium-ion batteries. This progress has been validated by electrochemical results obtained with independent entities. Among these results, the great improvement in the cyclability of silicon-rich anodes (>50% silicon content) is particularly noteworthy. This is a very innovative technology, which seeks to reduce cost and increase capacity at the same time.

Time frame: 2022 - 2025

Participants: FERROGLOBE INNOVATION, S.L., FUNDACIÓN CENTRO TECNOLÓGICO DE INVESTIGACIÓN MULTISECTORIAL

Budget: 2.058.878,57 €. Total grant: 823.551,43 €

Public funding: Funded by the Galician Innovation Agency (Xunta de Galicia) in the framework of the 2022 call of the Joint Research Units Programme, co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Galicia ERDF

The objective of the UMI VOLTA is the research and development of technologically advanced, highly energy efficient and environmentally sustainable electrochemical solutions based on silicon, which includes the study of sustainable compounds mainly based on biochar from high-impact species/wastes in Galicia and strategies for the recovery of other waste materials of high interest in electrochemistry. In addition, it will focus on the development of digitalization strategies and new applications that, through support for technification and digitalization, will enable the Galician industrial model to be boosted and move not only towards highly innovative scientific-technological solutions, but also towards sustainability and decarbonization.

PROGRESS YEAR 2022:
During the year 2022, the first tasks of the VOLTA UMI have been started, which has allowed us to begin to establish the main sources of biochar, their production processes, as well as the main strategies for obtaining micro and nano silicon. In addition, CRM recovery strategies, 4.0 traceability strategies and possible new uses and applications of biochar and micro/nano silicon have been successfully addressed.

PROGRESS YEAR 2023:
During the year 2023, the work carried out has enabled progress to be made in all aspects relating to strategies for obtaining micro and nanosilicon, carbonaceous raw materials, CRM recovery, new uses, and all of this accompanied by 4.0 traceability strategies. The optimisation and development of electrochemical cells for the testing of the materials under study has begun, making it possible to evaluate their suitability for the development of high-performance lithium-ion cells.

PROGRESS YEAR 2024:
During the year 2024 the work carried out has focused on the technological review, establishment of requirements and initial design of micro and nano silicon synthesis routes, on the establishment of requirements and design of biochar synthesis routes and on the synthesis routes of anode materials and on the research of new uses and applications of the target materials.

Participants: Ferroglobe Innovation SL, Sacyr Circular, Sacyr Concesiones, Tubacex, Colorobbia, Recyclia, Little Energy and Coveless..

Budget: 562.306,00 €. Grant: 355.514,00 €

Public funding: Funded by the CDTI, and has been supported by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

BATERURGIA project aims to solve the problems derived from the recovery and selective separation of the critical metals included in these batteries. These materials can be used to manufacture new batteries or replace conventional raw materials and be introduced in other productive sectors.

Participants: Ferroglobe Innovation, CETIM Technological Centre, Leitat Technological Center, Lurederra, Universidade da Coruña, HI iberia, Rimsa, ENSO

Business cluster Budget:  1.834.374,60 €. Ferroglobe Innovation SL grant: 647.411,00 €

Public funding: The project's technology cluster is funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the State Research Agency (MCIN /AEI /10.13039/501100011033), and the business cluster is subsidized by the Center for Industrial Technological Development (@CDTI_innovacion), under the 2023 call for "Science and Innovation Missions" under the TransMisiones initiative.

PLEC2023-010301

The overall objective of the NanomatIA project is to accelerate booming sectors where the design and discovery of new materials play a leading role with constant challenges, such as the energy storage sector through artificial intelligence strategies focused on two main axes to achieve materials with advanced properties as set by the market: nano and biotechnology.

Time frame: 2021 - 2023

Participants: E-magy B.V.; Commisariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA); DCX Chrome S.A.S.; Sustec GmbH; Technische Universität Darmstadt and Ferroglobe Innovation

Project Budget: € 3 358 533  Ferroglobe Innovation budget: € 161 875

Public funding project: € 2 336 644 Public Funding Ferroglobe Innovation: € 99 047
 

Main objectives: The substitution of graphite by silicon in battery anodes around nano-porous silicon designed by E-magy and contributing to 3 strategic objectives: 1) Securing raw materials supply 2) Designing materials solutions and 3) Closing materials loops. ESiLib aims to develop an improved nano-porous silicon manufacturing process that meets the performance, cost and sustainability criteria that battery customers require. As a result, the nano-porous silicon material manufacturing costs will be reduced and process sustainability increased.

Time frame: 2022 - 2026

Participants: FERROGLOBE INNOVATION SL, UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID, NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU, FOSECO NEDERLAND BV, THERMOPHOTON SL, ENTECH ENERGITEKNIK AB, SERVEO SERVICIOS SA

Total Budget: € 2 575 920,00.

Public funding: HORIZON-EIC-2021-TRANSITION-CHALLENGES-01

Project website: Thermobat – Storing sunshine and wind to make cheap energy available at all times

Main objectives: THERMOBAT will develop an innovative Latent Heat Thermophotovoltaic battery for long duration storage and combined heat and power generation. The value proposition is the supply of a very cheap system that has a very high energy density, high global efficiency, that is safe, flexible, compact, silent, recyclable, scalable, and able to produce clean heat and electricity on demand.

Time frame: 2023 - 2026

Participants: FERROGLOBE INNOVATION SL, FUNDACION CIDETEC, POWERCO SE, Manz Italy Srl, TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BRAUNSCHWEIG, VERKOR, IZERTIS SOCIEDAD ANONIMA, COMAU SPA, EXCELITAS NOBLELIGHT GMBH, MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL GMBH, JAGENBERG CONVERTING SOLUTIONS GMBH, KAMPF LSF GMBH & CO KG, LEBBING AUTOMATION AND DRIVES GMBH, RISE RESEARCH INSTITUTES OF SWEDEN AB, ZEPPELIN SYSTEMS GMBH, NETZSCH TROCKENMAHLTECHNIK GMBH, LIPLANET E.V., FONDAZIONE ICONS

Total budget: € 10 865 496,25. Ferroglobe Innovation SL funding: € 118 710,00

Public funding: HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions. HORIZON-CL5-2022-D2-01.

Project website: Homepage - Gigabat (gigabat-project.eu)

GIGABAT aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of Gigafactories in Europe by fostering the development and integration of European equipment. This involves considering the global ecological impact and the economic cost associated with constructing Gigafactories.

Time frame: Sabón, Spain

Time frame: 2023 - 2025

Location: Ferroglobe Innovation SL

Total budget: €330,763, Loan amount. 281.148,55 €

Funded by: CDTI, Individual R&D projects 

Main objectives: In-depth investigation of the process of obtaining metallurgical silicon in order to develop and obtain a new process that allows to materialize a global improvement. Specifically, Ferroglobe seeks to optimize the design of the electrical energy injection systems in the furnace to reduce energy losses due to induced currents and joule effect in the electrode. Additionally, the circularity of the process will be sought.